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I'm looking into getting a collection of chalk inks to use on my acrylic stamps (my SU inks don't work so well with acrylic stamps and my collection of acrylic stamps is growing). In shopping around a bit I've mostly heard about colorbox chalk ink. But today in Michael's I saw the Versamagic dew drops and wondered: how do they compare? Any pros and cons ya'll can give on either ink brand would be a great help! Thanks so much!
I've used both & I personally prefer Colorbox chalk. It has never disappointed me. And the range of colors is pretty large. I didn't think the Versachalk were as bright. I'd buy one of each and give them both a try. What I found unlikeable is something you might be wanting.
__________________ Keep what is worth keeping
and with the breath of kindness
blow the rest away.
You do have another choice, Brilliance inks work beautiful with all stamps, clear and rubber and then you have a touch sparkle in some of the great colors they offer!
__________________ Karen
...My life is like a stroll on the beach...As near to the edge as I can go...Thoreau...
I don't like VersaMagic either. They always seem dried-out to me, even after I re-ink them. I've already thrown away two of them, and I'll be getting rid of the other three as soon as I find comparable colors from another manufacturer.
I have some VersaMagic dewdrop pads. When I used them for direct to paper backgrounds the 'skin' on the top of pads came loose & eventually fell off. I don't know the purpose of this extra layer on the pads but underneath is a foam pad. I contacted the mfgr & was told they could be replaced if I sent them back but that seemed like more trouble than it was worth as the pads work fine without that top layer.
I found several of the pads to be dry even when brand new. I have bought reinkers for the colors I like best.
I too prefer the fluid chalk inks but having the VersaMark pads expands my color palette.
I have found that fluid chalk ink stains clear stamps. I haven't used VersaMagic with clear stamps so I'm not sure if that stains too.
To those who prefer colorbox: what line of papers do you find most frequently match their color pallete? I realize matchy-matchy may not exist outside of SU products, but I'd like to get as close as I can.
I like them both but have stuck with the VersaMagic rather than the Colorbox. Might be because I also bought the reinkers for the VersaMagic full-size pads I have, and as the Colorbox dried up through use, I just didn't replace them. I prefer the VersaMagic foam pad to the Colorbox pad, and the dew drop shape to the cat-eye shape of Colorbox.
The VersaMagic dew drops I have are extremely juicy and I like how tightly they close. I kept the plastic inner covers for the full-size pads and they help, but as they dry up, I'm replacing them with dew drops. Just prefer the smaller size.
As for matchy-matchy, I never had much success with Colorbox, but the VersaMagic inks seem to match PTI and SU card stock at least a little bit better.
I make my own chalk ink with gouache paint. I have been doing that for awhile now. I have been doing computer geek things all week like Linux & modding out my Nook Color to a different operating system. I am exhausted. If I write a tutorial it will be a nightmare.
I got rid of all my chalk inks because I like my goauche chalk inks better. I can make my own custom palettes and I think they stamp nicer especially with acrylic stamps.
I don't have any opinion on which chalk ink is better, but I did want to let you know that Momento inks are VERY good on acrylic stamps.
I am a former CTMH consultant, and had difficulty using CTMH pads with rubber, so I was experimenting with different inks, and found that I could use the Momento inks on both rubber and acrylic.
Just thought I'd pass that along. Good luck with your decision.
Something you can try to get better coverage with your SU inks on clear stamp is to first ink with versamark and then your SU ink. I saw this in a blog or video somewhere, but I can't remeber where, for using dye inks on "made in China" clear stamps that tend to bead when inked.
I have some of each brand and have not had any trouble with either. ColorBox has more vibrant colours, but I like the Versamagic dewdrops for sponging - especially the blues which are great for sky or sea backgrounds.
__________________ Susan
My SCS gallery is here should you care to look! Or please visit my blog, Cardmaker's Garret.
I prefer VersaMagic HANDS DOWN. They do dry out quicker, but I keep reinkers for my favorites, and the dew drops close tightly to keep them juicy longer. They are easier to clean off of clear stamps, IMO, they don't stain as bad, and don't have that white chalky finish to me that Colorbox does.
I used to be a diehard colorbox fan, but over the last couple of years i have become frustrated with them. I hate that the cats eye lids don't stay on. I travel a lot with my stamp pads and i haven't found a good way to store them so the lids stay on. That is my biggest reason for being a fan of the versa pads.
I'll throw my vote in for Colorbox as well. I have several of the full size pads. I have had some of them I know for about 4 years now and they are as juicy as they were the day I bought them!
Versamagic chalk ink vs Colorbox chalk ink
